Whenever a person is new to something, they need to “get established.” Maybe one moves to a new town, and needs to find a home, job, and/or source of transportation. One can feel all alone, or very weak. One may even ask the right decision was made.

The best decision we can make is to become a Christian! We shouldn’t fear anything, or that we are alone; rather, there is someone there with us to establish (confirm, strengthen, help) us.

I. God will establish us.

A. Peter said that God would “perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle” us (1 Peter 5:10).

B. Paul said that He is able to establish us according to the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ (Romans 16:25-27).

C. He will establish and guard us from the evil one (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

II. We need to be established:

A. Establish ourselves in the faith (1 Thessalonians 3:1-5).

B. Establish our hearts before God (1 Thessalonians 3:13; James 5:8).

C. Establish ourselves in every good word and work (2 Thessalonians 2:17).

Have we been established? Are we rooted, grounded, and getting stronger in the faith? Are our hearts right before God? Are we good examples in word and deed? Have we heard and been obedient to God’s Word?

A hundred years from now what will others remember about us? Probably nothing! That is the truth unless we do something really noteworthy. Men come and go almost without notice. Only a few are remembered long after life has ended, even among the most successful. Perhaps I can illustrate my point.

Who was president a hundred years ago? Vice-president? Only a few get their 15 minutes of fame, and then they quickly fade from view. It may be that the famous are less remembered than the infamous. Genghis Kahn, Attila the Hun, Judas Iscariot, Adolph Hitler, and Joseph Stalin all come to mind. Even an apostle like Thomas is remembered, not for a life of service and devotion to the cause of New Testament Christianity, but for the doubts he expressed resurrection day. Thus, he became “Doubting Thomas”. From what we know of Thomas, the following seems to have been true.

The cross was what Thomas expected; the resurrection was not! It was Thomas who said to his fellow apostles: “Let us go, that we may die with Him.” (John 11:16). Thomas was the natural pessimist. If it could go wrong, he just knew it would.

Following the crucifixion, Thomas made the mistake of withdrawing to deal with his grief when what he really needed was the fellowship of brethren. He was absent when the others gathered in the upper room (John 20:24). (Did you ever stop to consider what you miss when you are absent when the church assembles?)

Thomas’ great virtue was that when he was sure he went all the way! Seeing the resurrected Savior he exclaimed: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).

When it comes to Jesus there is no need to be a doubting Thomas. Our faith in Jesus Christ rests on the trustworthy testimony of eyewitnesses (2 Peter 1:16; 1 John 1:1-3). We can be confident that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). I urge you to read the New Testament. You can have confidence in what you read, and ultimately, you will exclaim with Thomas, “My Lord and my God!”

It was not fair. He had a large and adoring family, was one of the richest men in his community, and was as honest as the day is long. A decent and God fearing man, he seemed to have it all. Suddenly, disaster struck. All ten of his children died in a single accident. His wealth was stolen, and his health failed. His wife demanded, “Curse God and die!”

What would he do? What had happened? Why had he been singled out? His friends argued that it was all his fault. “You’re being punished for your sins,” they said. “Whoever perished being innocent?” But that wasn’t the case. He was a perfect and upright man who feared God and turned from evil. Nothing he had done could account for his troubles.

The simple fact is bad things happen to good people. Life is not fair.

Life isn’t fair. Never was. Never will be. Job knew that. He exclaimed: “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). Troubles come to men just as the surely as the sparks fly upward (Job 5:7).

The marvelous thing about Job is that he never lost his faith. He proved that a man can maintain his faith in the midst of trouble. Job is not unique. Bad things still happen to good people, and good people still cling to their faith in the midst of adversity.

We’ve all seen it. A good, decent, honest fellow whose loyalty to Christ was unquestioned is confronted with inexplicable adversity. On the other hand, a man as ungodly as they come may appear to live an easy and carefree life. How do we explain it? Again, life isn’t fair!

A faith that is firm only as long as life is easy and seems fair is no faith at all.

Bad things do happen to good people, and good people find the resources to deal with them through their faith. That’s what Job did. Don’t complain when troubles come. Look eagerly beyond them to what awaits those in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:1). And, exclaim with Job, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15).

Early disciples were bold, full of faith and had confidence. They were not self-conceited, presumptuous, arrogant, head-strong, or offensively boastful. They merely possessed the confident, calm assurance that faith provides. Notice these examples from the pen of Paul:

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

“For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (1 Corinthians 4:13).

How can we effectively reach others if our lives are filled with doubt? We need some of the confidence of the youngster who was drawing pictures with his crayons. His mother asked him what he was doing. “I’m drawing a picture of God,” he said. After his mother patiently explained that no one knew what God looked like, the little boy replied, “Don’t worry mom, when I get done they will!”

We can have confidence in the gospel because we can have confidence in its source – the Bible.

Its claims of inspiration are valid (2 Timothy 3:16). The brevity, clarity, unity and accuracy of the Book are not accidental. Contrary to the claims of unbelievers, nothing in science, archaeology, or history has shown the Bible to be anything other than credible! The Bible owes its origin to God.

We can have confidence in the gospel because we can have confidence in its central figure – Jesus.

No fair minded person today will deny the existence of Jesus of Nazareth. He is an indisputable fact of history. What we know about Him confirms our faith in Him. The historian W. E. H. Lecky, who was not a believer in revealed religions, wrote: “The character of Jesus has not only been the highest pattern of virtue, but the strongest incentive to its practice, and has exerted so deep an influence, that it may be truly said, that the simple record of three short years of active life has done more to regenerate and to soften mankind, than all the disquisitions of philosophers and than all the exhortations of moralists.” (History of European Morals, ii (1869), p. 88).

Like those early disciples, we must boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can have confidence that its message is as true and relevant as ever!

Put Your Confidence in The Lord

Is there someone who you cannot put confidence in?

When that person lets you down, how do you feel? The wise man wrote, “Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a bad tooth and a foot out of joint (Proverbs 25:19).”

If you’ve ever had a root canal, you know how painful it is;

If your foot has come out of its joint, you know how it hurts.

An unfaithful person in times of trouble likewise hurts, and needs to develop confidence in The Lord.

You can always have confidence in The Lord!

On the other hand (or foot in this case), you watch where you’re going so you won’t get your foot caught. “For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught (Proverbs 3:26).” The Lord is someone who you can always put your confidence in. He always does what He says He will do.

Paul was “confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).” God is at work in us, and will help us do good works for Him.

Having confidence in The Lord is better than trusting princes.

In whom would you rather have confidence, or put your trust? For one, the clear choice is confidence in The Lord:

“I called on the LORD in distress; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? The LORD is for me among those who help me; therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes (Psalm 118:5-9).”

It May Be “Hip” To Call Evil Good, But God Says, “Woe Unto Them That Call Evil Good, And Good Evil”

In Isaiah 5:20, the prophet of the Lord pronounced “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Lately, I find myself shaking my head more and more frequently at the news that comes from every corner of the United States. Things that once were universally considered evil, wicked and sinful seem no longer to be seen as such by the majority of the population. Things that were once universally considered good, wholesome, and right are now seen as hateful, oppressive and wrong by an increasing number of people. When I was young, I used to think that old people were irrational for grumbling about how bad things were, in society, when compared with how they used to be. Now, I find myself grumbling in exactly the same way. I guess it means that I’m getting old – but it also means that I’m finding out just how right my elders were in their assessment of the world.

In Isaiah’s day, there were probably quite a few people who thought that he was just a grouchy old man who didn’t know what he was talking about, but they ought to have been listening to him. He tried to warn the people of his generation about the error of their ways, calling evil good, and he pleaded with them to repent before it was eternally too late. But most of the people were bent upon doing what they wanted to do, and they paid no attention to the Lord’s prophet. Jeremiah summed up the attitude of the people very well, “The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so” (Jeremiah 5:31). We are living in a topsy-turvy world, and it seems that the people love to have it so.

Consider how society’s attitude toward sin has changed. Sin has always been part of the human condition (Romans 3:23). But, in days gone by, people knew what sin is, and if they committed sin, they were not proud of what they had done, calling evil good. People used to feel ashamed of themselves, when they did something they knew they ought not to do, or failed to do something they ought to do (Hebrews 10:26-27; James 4:17). But, nowadays, people are proud of their sins, and because of their pride, they see no need to repent of their sins.

Ezra wrote about people who had a proper perspective on their own sins, “And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased overour head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens” (Ezra 9:6). Jeremiah, on the other hand, wrote about people who are very much like modern Americans, “Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: in the time that I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 6:15).

Today, people are proud to be homosexual, fornicators, adulterers, and to commit all manner of abomination. The very notion of “Gay Pride” is an affront to all that is good and holy. But, if any Christian dares to oppose such a thing, he is called “bigot” and “intolerant” and “hateful.” This is how the world calls evil good and good evil. It’s enough to make many Christians want to give up the good fight of faith!

But, I want to encourage Christians to hold fast against the rising tide of the world’s love for sin and hatred of righteousness. We can’t be calling evil good and good evil. Paul said it best, when he wrote to Timothy, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But, evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou inthings which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou has known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:12-15). Every new generation thinks that the world is only getting worse. From the stand-point of morality, maybe that is true, but the key to coping with the ascendancy of sin in the world is to build your personal faith (Hebrews 11:6).

Without a doubt, society is moving swiftly to transform what people think about sin and righteousness. Things that people once did not talk about, because they were sinful, are now graphically displayed on television and the internet. Preachers and teachers who tell people what the Bible says about sin are vilified, as hate-mongers who want to keep people from being happy. However, now is not the time to shrink from the challenge before us. We all must stand up and speak out for what is true and right, in every public forum. God has not given up on trying to save the world, and neither should we (2 Timothy 4:1-5)!

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8). The implication from the text is that there is a time for everything. The list the author provided was not intended to be exhaustive, but representative. There is a season for everything, and a time for every purpose under heaven: birth and death, planting and harvesting, war and peace, all have their appointed time.

Perhaps it is time for us to take personal inventory and do some self-examination.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and commanded self-examination: “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?–unless indeed you are disqualified” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Perhaps it is time for us to take personal inventory.

Are we in the faith?

How do we know?

What standard do we use?

Some answer these questions with: “I feel it in my heart!”

But, can we trust our feelings? Didn’t Saul feel he was doing God’s bidding when he persecuted the church? He said, “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth” (Acts 26:9). He was wrong, and later self-examination shows that!

Others seek to determine whether or not they are “in the faith” by comparing themselves with other Christians.

That won’t work either, because the standard is flawed. We are all imperfect. Again, Paul warned: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves; but they measuring themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12). Our self-examination must use a reliable standard.

Only one reliable standard exists for determining whether or not we are “in the faith.”

That standard is the word of God. Jesus said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).

Where do we stand in respect to the commands of the Almighty?

How do we compare with the perfect standard – Jesus Christ? Where do we need to do better? Remember Jesus’ warning: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Now you know why we place so much emphasis upon the Scriptures.

Our most important choices are regarding Jesus.

A young man applied for a job on a farm. The farmer had one question for him. “Are you willing to work hard?” The young man assured the farmer that he could count on him to do an honest day’s work, so the farmer hired him.

The first morning he was put to work chopping wood. The farmer told him what he wanted done and then went off to do his own chores. He returned at noon to check on his new employee, and to his surprise, found the wood all chopped and neatly stacked. What should have been an all day job had been done in four hours.

That afternoon the young man was put to work painting the barn. That, too, went smoothly and much faster than the farmer had expected. The job was completed by the weekend.

The following Monday morning the young man was put to work sorting potatoes. Some were for market, some for the farmers’ table, and some were for planting. This involved making choices. After showing the new hand what was expected, the farmer again went off to do his own work. To his surprise, when he returned later that morning, he discovered that the young man had made no progress. “What happened?” he demanded. “You were such a good worker last week!” Embarrassed, the young man replied, “I told you I was a good worker, but I didn’t say I could make decisions.”

When it comes to faith, it seems the young man has lots of company. At Mount Carmel Elijah chided Israel: “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, then follow him. But the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21).

The most important choices we make are the ones regarding Jesus. Are we with Him or against Him? There is no neutral ground. There are only the two choices: we are either on His side or we side with the devil (Matthew 12:30). We have made a choice. Have we made the right one? Remember, time is running out!

Introduction

A. By having a better appreciation for the Old Testament, we may have a better understanding of the New Testament. In fact, the things “written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope (Romans 15:4).”

B. Thus, with a better appreciation of Noah’s relationship to God, we can have a better understanding of our relationship with Him.

Body

I. God saved Noah through water.

A. The wickedness of man was great; the intents of man’s hearts were only evil continually (Genesis 6:5).

B. God planned to destroy man from the face of the earth (Genesis 6:7).

C. Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6:8-9).

1) He was a just man.

2) He was “perfect” in his generations.

3) He walked with God.

D. Noah built the ark according to God’s instructions, and gathered the right number and kind of animals (Genesis 6:13-22).

E. The floods came, and those on the earth perished; Noah and his family were saved (Genesis 7:1-24).

Rember That God Is In Control

This past week many of us were affected by the fierce storms that passed through the area. Some of us were even under a tornado warning for a brief period of time. Most of us received hail, high winds and heavy rain for a time. Often during times like this, one may feel the presence of God in the untamed power of nature. But truly, God is in control of nature.

Nahum 1:3b-5: “The LORD has His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, the hills melt, and the earth heaves at His presence, yes, the world and all who dwell in it.”

Yes, God is in control over the weather! In the New Testament, Jesus, God in the flesh (John 1:1, 14), proved this to the disciples when He calmed a great storm (Mark 4:35-41). They were fearful and thought they would perish, but Jesus said to the sea, “peach, be still.” We may be scared when bad weather approaches, but we must remember that God is there. Likewise, when the storms of life try to shake us, God is there.

Truly, God’s control of nature is just an indication of His control over all things. We need to fully entrust our lives to Him.

Psalm 56:3: “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.” God is in control and we need to trust in Him. Take action now to put yourself in His hands.

Run the race of life to obtain the prize of eternal life.

This weekend many individuals will be participating in the Bible Bowl. The gospel of John has been studied, and learned by all. Although a prize will be given to each of the top finishers in each age group, everyone wins because they all have a better understanding of God’s word.

Text: 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Paul likens the Christian life to a lifelong race. Just as one runner receives the top prize in a marathon, so every Christian should run in a way that they may obtain a prize. In the early days, the winner of the Olympic events would receive an olive tree wreath on his head. This crown would perish. However, here Paul speaks of an “imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:25).”

Paul told Timothy that he has “fought the good fight, finished the race, and have kept the faith.” As a result, he would receive a prize, the “crown of righteousness,” which the Lord would not only give to him, but also to “all who have loved his appearing (2 Timothy 4:7-8).” This “crown of righteousness” is also called the “crown of life (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).” As it takes a lot of hard work preparing for the Bible Bowl, it takes a lot of work preparing for Heaven. After becoming a Christian, one must endure temptation, be approved, and continue to live faithfully unto death.

Unfortunately, sometimes competitors may try to win by unethical means. Many forms of cheating have stripped some winners of their awards. As Paul told Timothy, one is “not crowned unless he competes according to the rules (2 Timothy 2:5).” If we want to hold on to our prize and crown, we must compete according to God’s rules. The church in Philadelphia was told, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown (Revelation 3:11).”

I choose to see the good stuff!

The prophets of doom and gloom are everywhere. The economy is in the tank. Hundreds of thousands have lost their jobs. Every day we face the threat of another terrorist attack. Crime is on the rise. Drug and alcohol abuse is an increasing blight on society. Political scandals are a daily occurrence. Newspapers are filled with stories of man’s inhumanity to man. Is there nothing good to report? Yes, but we have to choose to see the good.

Realistically, there are a lot of good things taking place in our world, but they don’t get reported. Sadly, the good stuff doesn’t sell papers or attract viewers, so it’s ignored. Most of us have experiences every day which reaffirm our faith in God and restore our confidence in mankind. Good things are happening, they just aren’t being reported. I, for one, choose to see the good and refuse to let the purveyors of doom and gloom rule my day.

I know that God is still in charge (Daniel 4:17, 25, 34-35). I know that the Lamb of God rules the universe, and those who trust in Him will overcome (1 John 4:4; 5:4). I know that God’s ears are open to the prayers of His saints. He hears and answers (1 John 5:14-15). I know that “all things work together for good” for those who love God (Romans 8:28). And, I know that no matter what happens here, He has something better awaiting us on the other side (2 Corinthians 5:1).

I don’t deny that there are a lot of bad things taking place in our world, but I refuse to let them rule my day. The writer of Proverbs offers the following insights regarding life and the attitude we bring to each day. We would do well to hear and heed those admonitions. Here are but a few examples of what he wrote as an inspired author. “A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. Better is a little with the fear of the Lord than great treasure and trouble with it. Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than a fattened ox and hatred with it” (Proverbs 15:13-17). “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad” (Proverbs 12:25). “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). It is hard to have a glad heart unless you choose to see the good around you.

I can only speak for myself, but I choose to see the glass as half full, not half empty. I choose to see the good and to dwell on the good and not the bad. I choose to thank God each day for His blessings, and not to complain about my minor inconveniences. I choose to let the Lord and not the world direct my steps. I choose to see the good news over the bad stuff. And, I choose to see the day as the Psalmist did: “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). I choose to see the good! What are you choosing?

Are politics and religion compatible?

There are some who believe that religious conviction and political involvement are incompatible. In fact, there are those who believe that deeply held religious convictions disqualify one from political office. Any reference to faith, it is argued, should be removed from political rhetoric on constitutional grounds. Yet, the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. Politics and religion can mix.

I would adamantly oppose a state religion, but I strongly support the notion that we need more men and women of faith in political leadership roles. And, we need more people of faith speaking out against sin and speaking up in favor of righteousness. Religious leaders should lead in this regard. I’m not talking about the nonsense that often came from the mouths of men like Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson, but rather a plea that men and women of honesty, integrity and truth be elected to political office. We should be more concerned with character and less concerned with political affiliation.

The prophets of the Old Testament did not hesitate to take on their political leaders. Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Hosea immediately come to mind as mixers of politics and religion. Nathan, a prophet of God in Israel during the period of the United Kingdom did not hesitate to expose David’s sin with Bathsheba and call the king to repentance (2 Samuel 12:7-11). In the New Testament John the Baptist rebuked Herod and Herodias for their adulterous relationship (Matthew 14:1-12). Paul preached to governor Felix of “righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come” (Acts 24:25). The message of Scripture is that God’s laws are for all men, and those who openly flaunt those laws must be held accountable, even when they hold high office.

However, more is required of God’s servants than just an indictment of sin. The apostle Paul admonished: “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

I’d like to see more religion in politics, but don’t get me wrong. By that I simply mean that I’d like to see more honesty and integrity out of our politicians. And, I like to see more of our citizens praying for those in government that we might “lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.” Politics and religion need to be together.

Our zeal for Christ and His church should be seen.

It is easy for the people of God to become discouraged and lose their focus at times, lose their zeal. Scripture encourages Christians to maintain their zeal for serving God. Titus 2:11-15 says, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”

We are to be “zealous for good works” as laborers in God’s vineyard. Zealous is defined as “ardently active, devoted, or diligent; full of, characterized by, or due to zeal.” Suffice it to say that we are to be “ardently active” in doing good things for the benefit of the kingdom of God. This being the case, there are several areas wherein we need to renew our zeal.

One area that the church seems to lack enthusiasm for is personal evangelism. God wants Christians to be zealous for winning souls to Christ. I Peter 2:9-10 says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

All Christians are part of the “royal priesthood.” That is, we are intercessors on behalf of God to people who are outside of Christ. There is no such thing as a clergy and laity class in the church. All the people of God are priests who are expected to teach their fellow man about Jesus. Thus, we need to realize that God expects every single one of us to be teaching alien sinners about Jesus and have zeal in doing so.

The great commission was not just for the twelve apostles. God expects every one of His disciples to be working at converting people to Christ. John 4:35 says, “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.” Without reapers working with zeal, the harvest will turn to rot and ruin.

Christians need to renew their zeal for restoring erring Christians. Galatians 6:1 “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” Many congregations of the Lord’s people could increase attendance significantly if they were able to restore those who simply dropped out of service in the church. That being said, there must be an effort that is made to demonstrate that we are concerned about people who have become apostate.

God’s people need to renew their zeal for church attendance. We receive so many blessings from assembling with the saints in the presence of God. It is a tremendous source of encouragement to be around people who are in accord regarding their service toward God. In reality, we need to be present for every service of the church. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

As the aforementioned passage states, assembling allow us to “stir up one another to love and good works.” In congregational settings, we are made privy to situations with brethren and people in our communities who might need benevolent assistance. Sometimes we become aware of things that were previously unknown regarding our own brethren. A group of likeminded people with zeal can accomplish much good. Everybody needs a good “stirring up” ever once and a while.

We are admonished in scripture to be zealous for good works. As representatives of Christ, we must allow our enthusiasm, our zeal, for Christ and His church to be seen by those around us. If we show no passion and zeal for our Christianity, the world around us might very well assume that our devotion is hollow in its final summation.

Can you see yourself in these parables?

A certain man who had two sons came to the first and said, “Son, go work in my vineyard.” The young man answered, “I will not,” but afterward repented and went. Then the second son was also commanded to go work in the vineyard. He said to his father, “Sir, I go,” but didn’t. Which one did the will of his father (Matthew 21:28-31)?

There is an important lesson in that parable. Jesus demands action, not just lip service! During his ministry He called attention to a statement Isaiah had made centuries earlier. The prophet had written, “…this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honor me, but have removed their heart far from me…” (Isaiah 29:13). Jesus applied the prophet’s statement to His own generation. Men were quick to profess faith, but it was not a life changing faith. Theirs was a religion of the lips and not of the heart. Like the young man in the parable, men were saying yes but meaning no! Such a religion lacks value.

Can you see yourself in the story Jesus told? Have you said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you,” but you have refused to obey His commands? Have you been baptized (Mark 16:16)? Are you a student of the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15)? Do you live your religion daily (Philippians 1:27)? Or, are you merely offering lip serv­ice to the Lord?

Ironically, it seems that many are content to be the second son, saying yes to the Father’s demands, but unwilling to obey. Is that how you see yourself? I hope not. The Lord saw through that young man’s hypocrisy, and he will see through ours as well.

Which son are you? I hope not the second! If so, change the way you are and the way you see yourself. Say yes to Jesus, and then follow through.

Superstition and Faith are often incorrectly associated.

A superstition is defined as “1 a: a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation b: an irrational abject attitude of mind toward the supernatural, nature, or God resulting from superstition 2: a notion maintained despite evidence to the contrary” (Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Tenth Edition, page 1183). Superstitions are unsupported by facts. They originate in ignorance.

Faith is often associated with superstition. In fact, one of the definitions provide in Merriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary for faith is “firm belief in something for which there is no proof.” I suspect that to be the definition many people attach to “faith” in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth.

Faith, as that word is used in Scripture, is not belief without proof, but belief based on evidence. Peter admonished Christians to provide reasons for their faith, because our faith is reasonable (1 Peter 3:15). Since the beginning of recorded history there has never been a better explanation of origin than the one found in Genesis 1:1. God did it, and the available evidence lends credence to the claim. No evidence to the contrary has been forth coming.

Regarding the identity of Jesus, one cannot improve upon Peter’s assertion that He was the Son of God (Matthew 16:16). That such a man as Jesus lived is beyond dispute. That He has had a profound impact for good upon the world is undeniable. Some would say He was a good man, but not the Son of God. To which I would ask, “Would a good man allow others to think that he was something he was not?” Either Jesus was who the Scriptures revealed Him to be, the Son of God and Savior of the world, or He was a liar and an impostor. The evidence points to the former and denies the latter. Our faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God is supported by the evidence.

Superstitions are beliefs without proof. Faith, as that word is used in relationship to Jesus Christ, is belief based upon evidence, and that faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Have you examined the evidence? Do you believe? Are you acting on that belief?

Sometimes we get a reminder of who is in charge.

Nightmares can really be scary. Ask old king Nebuchadnezzar. On more than one occasion he was bothered by his night visions. Daniel 4 is a case in point. That night things were well in Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar retired for the evening feeling very confident, but he awoke frightened and troubled. He had a dream about, of all things, a tree.

A tree grew to great height. Its leaves were healthy and its fruit abundant. Birds built their nests in its branches, and the beasts of the field found comfort in its shadow. But, a divine messenger came down from heaven to demand that the tree be cut down and destroyed. Only the stump and roots were to remain. Why was this to be done? So that the living may know “that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men” (Daniel 4:17).

Daniel interpreted the dream for king Nebuchadnezzar. It seems the old king had gotten a little too big for his britches, and this was God’s way of letting him know he had crossed the line. God was telling him who is in charge with a dream. That tree represented the king. He was about to be toppled. For seven years Nebuchadnezzar would dwell with the beasts of the field and eat grass as oxen. This would be true until he acknowledged that “the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will” (Daniel 4:25). It was a not so subtle reminder of who is in charge!

There are times when we also forget who is in charge. Once in a while it may look like the devil has gotten the upper hand, but it’s only temporary. God is alive and still in control. Victory belongs to the redeemed! God has a way of dealing with those who have dealt Him out of the game. And, it’s not pleasant as Nebuchadnezzar was about to find out!

The next time you are feeling discouraged, just remind yourself of this important lesson. God is still in charge! We are on the winning team. Remember what John wrote: “…and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” (1 John 5:4-5).

Smile! Who is in charge? God is still in charge and all is well in the universe.

Noah was saved through his faith; will your faith save you?

Recently, Brother Brian Giselbach conducted our gospel meeting on “Foundations of Faith.” His last lesson was centered on helping us when our faith becomes weak. One person that came to my mind who had his faith often challenged was Noah. Just imagine how Noah was mocked, ridiculed, and ignored while building the ark God instructed him to make. Imagine the possible doubts. Would it really rain? What indeed was rain? Did God know what He was talking about?

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith (Hebrews 11:7).” Noah knew it was going to rain based on God’s warning, and did what God told him. Because he found grace in the eyes of God (Genesis 6:8), Noah showed he was willing to listen and obey Him. When the rains came down, the ark went up! Noah and his family were saved by water and the unrepentent and sinful world was lost.

Today, God warns us of things not yet seen. The Bible, God’s Word, tells us what will happen to those that obey Him; it also tells us what will happen to those that do not obey Him.

We, too, must be moved with godly fear. We cannot come to God without faith (Hebrews 11:6), and that faith must work (James 2:17,20). Noah was saved in water, and today the waters of baptism help us be saved from our sins through the blood of Christ. Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned (Mark 16:16).” Baptism is for the remission of sins (Acts 22:16).

Noah was saved through his faith; will your faith save you? Will you act in faith and accept the salvation offered in Christ?